---

Convention​

Registration

Schedule

Keynote Speakers

Sessions​

Sponsorship​

Exhibitors

Hotel & Travel

Contact Us

Convention​

​2021 Career Education Convention
Onsite & Virtual 

We are excited to host the 2021 Career Education Convention in Grapevine, TX at the Gaylord Texan alongside CCST. This event has become the largest gathering for leaders in postsecondary career education across America to listen, learn and engage with thought leaders in the field. Including various keynote speakers, idea generating opportunities, educational sessions and networking connections, the 2021 Convention will not disappoint! ​

We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic in order to plan a safe and successful event for all attendees. 

---

Vertical Divider

​Schedule at a Glance

• Monday, June 14th
  • 5:00 - 7:00pm | Opening Reception
• Tuesday, June 15th 
  • Full conference day
• Wednesday, June 16th
  • Full conference day
  • 5:00 - 7:00pm | Closing Reception

​*See the "Schedule" tab for details

Quick Links

attendee registration

in person booth registration

virtual only booth registration

hotel reservations

Registration

Registration

If you have questions regarding Convention registration, please contact us at events@career.org or (571) 800-6521.

registration link

Group Rate
Group discounts are available for 6 or more attendees! Schools registering 6+ attendees can email Jessica.brown@career.org for more information.  

---

CECU Registration Rates for Members & Nonmembers

Regular Rates ​(April 1 - June 15)	Onsite Attendee	Virtual Attendee
CECU Member	$800	$550
Nonmember	$1,000	$750

---

CCST Registration Rates for Members & Nonmembers
​(Must be from a Texas school to qualify for these rates)

Regular Rates ​(April 1 - June 15)	Onsite Attendee	Virtual Attendee
CCST Member	$550	$400
Nonmember	$650	$500

---

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees will be refunded only if written notice of cancellation is received at CECU on or before May 1, 2021. Due to COVID-19, CECU will allow attendees to cancel for a full refund, without penalty through May 1, 2021, and no refund will be made for cancellation after May 1, 2021. Please note that this cancellation policy applies only to attendees. Please see the the exhibitor page for information regarding booth cancellations. 

Payments: All attendee registration payments are due to CECU by May 1, 2021. Checks can be mailed to 1530 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1050, Arlington, VA 22209. Please refer to the exhibit hall page for dates related to exhibit booth registration.

*Each 10x10 booth includes two complimentary exhibitor attendees. Exhibitors will receive a discount code to register attendees with.
**Guest registrants will only be granted access to the exhibit hall for evening receptions.

Schedule

Schedule 

Monday, June 14, 2021

Time	Details
5:00 - 7:00 pm	Evening Reception

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Time	Details
8:00 - 9:00am	Exhibit Hall Breakfast
9:00 - 10:30am	Welcome & Keynote: Ty Bennett
10:45 - 11:00am	Concurrent Sessions
Noon - 1:30pm	Exhibit Hall Lunch
1:30 - 2:30pm	Concurrent Sessions
2:45 - 3:45pm	Concurrent Sessions
4:00 - 4:45pm	Keynote: Martha Stewart
5:00 - 7:00pm	Exhibit Hall Reception

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Time	Details
8:00 - 9:00am	Exhibit Hall Breakfast
9:00 - 10:30am	Meeting of the Members Keynote
10:45 - 11:45pm	Concurrent Sessions
12:00 - 1:30pm	Exhibit Hall Lunch
12:30 - 2:30pm	State Association Meeting
1:30 - 2:30pm	Concurrent Sessions
2:45 - 3:45pm	Concurrent Sessions
4:00 - 4:45pm	Keynote
5:00 - 7:00pm	Exhibit Hall Reception

Keynote Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Martha Stewart
Tuesday, June 15th  |  4:00pm
 
Martha Stewart is the Founder of the first multi-channel lifestyle company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, an entrepreneur, bestselling author of 96 to date lifestyle books and Emmy award winning television show host. Reaching more than 100 million devoted fans on a monthly basis through her magazines, television shows, books, and products for the home, sold at multiple retail and online outlets, Martha is the “go-to” source for the homemaker. 

Martha's business sense and creative vision provided the framework for launching her namesake company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 1996, and the expansive multimedia portfolio that includes award-winning properties such as Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, marthastewart.com, “The Martha Living Show” and “The Martha Show” (which over a span of 19 years earned 18 Emmys), “Martha Stewart’s Cooking School” on PBS, and “Martha Bakes” on PBS. 

​Ty Bennett
Tuesday, June 15th  |  9:00am

Ty is the founder of Leadership Inc., a speaking & training company with a mission to empower individuals and organizations to challenge their status quo, cultivate exceptional relationships, and compete in extraordinary ways. He’s changing lives– one leader at a time.

Ty’s best-selling books – Partnership is the New Leadership, The Power of Influence: Increase Your Income and Personal Impact and The Power of Storytelling: The Art of Influential Communication – are used in graduate courses at multiple universities including MIT, as today’s version of “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”

He’s one of the youngest speakers ever to receive the CSP Designation from the National Association of Speakers.

---

More information coming soon!

Sessions​

Sessions

By clicking the session category tabs below you will be able to view the full listing of sessions we will be offering at the 2021 Convention. Please note that both onsite and pre-recorded sessions are listed and each session description distinguishes how the session will be viewed. A portion of the Onsite Presentations will also be streamed live from Dallas, available to Virtual Attendees. We will update this list to reflect that distinction in the coming weeks. All onsite attendees will also have access to re-recorded sessions. 

Please note that CECU and CCST reserve the right to adjust this schedule as needed. Session may be cancelled and/or moved to and from onsite to pre-recorded.

---

Campus Development Sessions

Government Relations Sessions

Marketing Outreach Sessions

Campus Development Sessions

Aligning Your Systems to Simplify Course Materials Delivery and Access
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Bruce Schneider, Ambassador Education Solutions
• Kristen White, Ambassador Education Solutions
• Samer Rabie, Ambassador Education Solutions

What do AppleTV, Amazon FireStick and Roku have in common? They streamline access to your favorite tv networks, movie streaming services and apps all in one place. Now imagine your systems doing the same for all of a student's content and course materials. This interactive discussion will explore the roles of a school's SIS, LMS, CMS (Content Management System) and publisher platforms in the course materials process. We will look at what happens when these systems are put to work outside their comfort zones and ways to avoid adding pressure to your IT infrastructure. Learn how to bridge the gap between each system and platform, integrate efficiently, and minimize the burden on your IT team, especially as things like Inclusive Access and digital materials emerge. 

Boosting Retention While Building Community
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Elizabeth Keifer Herron, Collegiate Admission and Retention Solutions

Students pursue post-secondary education and training to better or improve their lives, follow a dream or out of necessity.  Supporting students through to graduation and employment is every institution's common goal, but distance and hybrid learning requirements have "stressed" our students, instructors and staff.  This session will help you evaluate your retention goals and needs and deploy steps to build community while helping students reach their goal of a better life.

Boosting Student Retention & Improving Student Outcomes Through Past Due Receivable Management
Onsite Presentation

• Karin Sammons, ECSI
  

Keeping students enrolled in your school is vital - especially now. In this session, we'll show you how to keep more students enrolled in school through better management of your past due balances. This leads to better student outcomes and increased revenue for schools. 

Career Development - a cross-departmental approach to student success and placement
Onsite Presentation

• Kim Cook, Career TEAM
  
• Micaela Alpers, Career TEAM
  

Career placement of graduates is the ultimate measure of our sector's success. Join Kim Cook, Regional Director of Clinical and Career Success at American Career College and Micaela Alpers, President of Career TEAM's education division as they share a cross-departmental strategy for creating a growth mindset throughout the student lifecycle. All with the goal of improving student retention, employer engagement, and ultimately, graduate placement.

Changing Landscape of Career Education; Effects and how we adopt to game changers like COVID
Onsite Presentation

• Paul Rutledge, Orbund
  
• Alexander Arthur, Orbund
  

Aging students and changing education dynamics have been impacted by Interactive Distance Learning and COVID.  This webinar will review the changing student demographics in the postsecondary education segment.  How these demographics reflect in student learning styles and how successful higher education programs will need to adapt lesson planning, delivery, and credentialing.  It will also review how technology solutions need to adapt to support institutional success.   

CONNECTING INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION: How to build a mutually beneficial program.
Onsite Presentation

• Dan Belcher, NCCER
  
• Cathy Tyler, NCCER
  
• James Busch, NCCER
  

A successful college program makes the clear connection between education and industry. And that’s why NCCER offers a complete workforce development system to assist construction education programs with the recruitment, training, and placement of students. In this session, you’ll learn how organizations can enhance their construction trades courses and curriculum to meet growing industry needs.  We’ll cover the importance of keeping pace with industry change and how to collaboratively develop a program with faculty and industry experts. Come prepared to discuss collaboration best practices for tapping into the industry to develop, design, and deliver successful training programs.

Dare to Go Paperless and Why this is a Good Idea
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Cornelia Anderson, Verity

The presentation will go over the paperless campus experience, which will elevate the institution to levels of high efficiency and compliance.

Data and your future: the art, science and technology that drive education marketing and business strategy.
Onsite Presentation

• Anthony Espinoza, Advance 360 Education

You will leave this session understanding the value of various data sources, internal and external. We’ll examine technology platforms and the power of data analytics. You will grasp the power of bringing data together in order to gain insights that can lead to the most strategic marketing and business decisions for your school.

Ensuring Student, Faculty, and Administrator Success Through Academic and Career Development Resources 
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Moderator: Hester Tinti-Kane, Cengage
• Panelists:
  • Ravinder Dayal, Carrington College
  • Jennifer Kaufman, Cengage

In the age of COVID-19, the career market has been greatly affected. Learn how one institution utilized alternative resources to ensure success and career development for its students, faculty, and administrators. These tools, drawn from the Cengage Unlimited catalog, range from online workshops to resume-building instruction. In this session, join Provost Ravinder Dayal as she describes Carrington College’s approach to implementing scalable innovative learning strategies for blended or online learning throughout the pandemic in order to align with the objectives of Carrington Colleges. 

From Prospects to Grads – Enrollment and Retention Strategies
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Lisa Olmedo, Gragg Advertising 
• Darryl Mattox, Gragg Advertising 

With all that has happened over the last year and a half our schools have shifted, adjusted, evolved and grown. In this session we will discuss how the changes affected the enrollment, retention and graduation process. What new obstacles do we need to overcome? What advantages came from our submersion into the realm of virtual learning? How can we enhance the student experience from enrollment to graduation using our new insights and tools? Join long-time industry experts Lisa Olmedo and Darryl Mattox from Gragg Advertising to share and collaborate on the Obstacles, Advantages and Learning Outcomes of Today. 

How to Launch a Thriving Hybrid IT Program for Student Success – A 360 Degree View
Onsite Presentation

• Sue Wilbert, Asher College
  
• Brian Matzelle, CompTIA
  

CompTIA chats with a director of curriculum development, IT instructors and recent IT program graduates from Asher College as they discuss the challenges of moving from face-to-face instruction to a successful distance learning modality. They will discuss the value of the CompTIA-Asher College partnership and how that partnership streamlined the transition process. See how eLearning with the proper tools and instruction can be successful in any environment. Set up your program for student success with the amazing career opportunities in the IT industry!

Going Paperless -- Benefits and Considerations
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Elizabeth Keifer Herron, Collegiate Admission and Retention Solutions
• Chesa Donovan, Global Financial Aid Services
• Chris Ellingsworth, Weworski & Associates

The pandemic forced millions of people to adapt to new or different ways of doing things, and colleges were not untouched.  Virtually overnight, many institutions had to switch from enrolling, admitting, packaging and teaching students in person to doing all of these things remotely.  Participants in this workshop will understand the different between paperless and true paperless; develop a list of questions and considerations to review as they consider transitioning away from paper; and appreciate the many benefits of moving to a paperless environment. 

Next Gen in DEI Work - Moving from Awareness to Mindset
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Sandy Sarge, SARGE Advisors LLC
• Jason London, DiverseCity.app
• Jahmad Canley, Potential Unleashed
• Colton Woo, Klass App

The topics and challenges of systemic racism and other oppressions have never been more top of mind than they are today.  DEI efforts to date are at a crossroads in their attempts to move from mere awareness to deeply ingrained justice.  As educators and leaders, we must embrace the obligation to our students, our employees and frankly, to ourselves to move this needle and push towards sustained impact.  Join us as four pioneers from different perspectives discuss the current situation, the challenges we face and the Next Gen opportunities available to influence our cultural mindset.

Predictive Admissions:  The Mindset of the Successful Completer
Onsite Presentation

• Dr. Scott Fitzgibbon, The Pacific Institute
  

With the mounting pressures for completion and placement rates upon our sector, what are we doing to make sure we are enrolling the students that are best suited to achieve both?  Career Colleges have a long history of using intellectual aptitude, whether it be a high school diploma, GED, or some type of math/language/cognitive reasoning entrance test as a baseline for enrollment, but those sources fall well short of assessing the mindset skills that determine whether a student truly has the “stick-to-it-ness” to stay the course.  In pre-employment testing, predictive validity refers to how likely it is for test scores to predict future job performance. Why should it be any different for enrolling students? By modeling after our students who have demonstrated success, we no longer need to worry that good candidates are being denied admission based on an arbitrary standard, and more importantly, we can help ensure we are enrolling the type of student who can be successful in our programs of study. In this session, we will discuss baseline cognitive questions that measure fundamental learning skills, but also the necessity of measuring an applicant’s mindset towards the educational process. 

Retention and Graduation is in the HABEs
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Dr. Scott Fitzgibbon, The Pacific Institute

The more the world changes around our students, the basic tenets of student success and retention stay the same.  It is rarely, if ever, that students do not succeed because of aptitude or the inability to do the work necessary, but rather because of the inability to handle life’s obstacles in pursuit of an education. In order to help our students become all that they can be, the future that is possible needs to become their new normal. Our students have varying beliefs about their ability to succeed, or whether they belong in higher education at all.  Those beliefs are based largely upon past experiences and those beliefs are accompanied by Habits and Attitudes that may or may not be aligned with the Expectations and goals that they have for their education, or for their life. With the proper mindset and a deliberate focus on the HABEs (habits, attitudes, beliefs, and expectations), our students can create the future they intend regardless of the changing times. 

Small Schools (1 campus less than 4 programs deep)  Effective Marketing for schools that cant afford the larger advertising corp.  Grass Roots, leveraging employers and other community influencers.
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Dainah Craft, Indiana Wellness  College

You still must have a CRM, and a effective structured admissions process. Take the open house concept to the next level. Different focus and theme to appeal to appeal to different prospects at every campus open house. Employer open houses, done entirely at the employers location so your potential student can feel what it would be like to work there and talk directly to people in the field.  This would include a structured process for how these events are successfully done to lead to high conversions. Being selective!  This can't be a numbers game anymore - butts in seats don't count.  You must have an objective structured process to do that, and all staff  in the organization should  agree that we enroll graduates, not students. A  simple process that leads to high completion and placements and less withdrawals and liabilities.  Our strategies are effective, low cost and ideal for small schools always struggling for enrollments, or staying at the 1.5 composite score. 

Supporting Higher Ed Students, Faculty and Administrators In Difficult Times
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Moderator: Hester Tinti-Kane, Cengage
• Jenna Sage, Ultimate Medical Academy
• Kyle Burdette, Cengage

To cope successfully with a global pandemic and a social movement defying police brutality in our country, higher ed communities have the chance to provide support for both faculty and administrators. And Institutions preparing students for both patient-facing roles and non-clinical, allied health positions have the opportunity to explore new ways to support their students holistically as well. In this session, Jenna Sage, Dean of Career Readiness and Workforce Solutions at Ultimate Medical Academy, will share the approach Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) is taking during the pandemic. When it comes to supporting students in a holistic way, Cengage has many resources that Institutions tap into. Kyle Burdette, Institutional Account Manager at Cengage, will describe his work with clients, including UMA, who are using these resources successfully. 

The Key To Successful Blended Learning Programs
Onsite Presentation

• Jackson Batchelder, CourseKey
  

One of the greatest challenges for institutions administering blended learning is determining how much time a student is awarded throughout their program by tracking and comparing synchronous time and asynchronous activities. Instructors must spend hours each day manually calculating time awarded and updating the SIS, instructors often introduce compliance issues by awarding time differently, and students have no real-time visibility into their total time awarded. With an integrated conversion tool, however, institutions can create a consistent methodology of awarding time that transforms blended learning operations. Staff are saved hours of manual calculation and data entry, consistency is ensured across programs and campuses, and staff and students are provided with real-time visibility student progression. Join us to learn why properly managing synchronous and asynchronous time is the key ingredient to running successful and compliant blended learning programs. 

The world needs your talent, not another degree
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Beth Young, WyoTech || LoveTrades

Education demographics do not align with the requirements of the workplace. Approximately 66% of the positions in the country today (current and unfilled) require two or fewer years of education. The vast majority of workplace demands rest in the future of trades and skilled application, which are underrepresented in local, state, and national conversations. However, talent-based, application-centric learning has dramatically underperformed against baccalaureate urgings and can be directly seen when middle schoolers are urged to declare plans for their post-secondary educational plans. A two-pronged approach that combines a new vocabulary with advocacy is needed to create cohesive public relations in the arena of trades and applied skills. 

Top Ten Strategies for Verifiable Placements
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Elizabeth Keifer Herron, Collegiate Admission and Retention Solutions
• Serjik Kesachekian, Success Education Colleges

Successful outcomes are critical to student and institutional success and are the focus of many state regulators, accreditors and the US Department of Education.  Are you confident in the accuracy of your reported placement rates?  Do you understand the implications of intentional or unintentional misrepresentation of these rates?  This session will provide a "top ten" list of strategies that you can deploy immediately to improve the verifiability of your institutional placements.

Transforming Campus Culture with a Game Changing Personality Tool
Onsite Presentation

• Eric Goodman, Ph.D., Education Affiliates
  
• Rebecca Blalock, Education Affiliates
  

Join us to learn how a game changing personality tool is being used to transform campus culture, build trust and strengthen relationships.  There is enormous evidence in the literature that students who persist and graduate are more likely to be students that develop a connection with at least one employee of the college.  After all, retention is a performance indicator and indirectly measures how valued, respected and connected your students feel. This session will highlight a strategic approach to enhance the student experience by dramatically improving one of the most important interpersonal skills needed today, namely, communication.  This proven system provides a lens through which we can understand ourselves and others better, thereby increasing our emotional intelligence and our ability to achieve greater results.

Understanding the Difference Between Certification and Certificate Programs  and How Financial Literacy Certificates Can Advance Your Career 
Onsite Presentation

• Danielle Sadighi, American Medical Certification Association
  
• John White, Champion College Services
  

According to a report by Credentialing Engine, more than 6700 different certifications are currently awarded to millions of workers. In all, more than 43 million Americans hold a professional certification. Certifications are attestations of their holder's ability to perform a set of skills relevant to a professional setting. The US Department of Education’s Audit Training and Education Survey confirmed a strong correlation between certification and earnings. Understanding certification and stackable certificates focus, hiring patterns, rapidly changing labor market and need for skill-based works will drive the need for your organization to offer stackable credentials. One of the hottest stackable credentials is in Financial Literacy. Employers have stated that they not only want a skill-based professional, but an employer that wants to be personally accountable. Learn how the basic knowledge of Financial Literacy, Credit Scores, Saving Accounts, and Identity Theft will make your students more marketable and an asset to any employer. 

Government Relations Sessions

90/10 Rule - Legal and Accounting Compliance Considerations
Onsite Presentation

• Mike Wherry, McClintock & Associates
  
• Katherine Brodie, Duane Morris LLP
  
• Kristina Gill, Duane Morris LLP
  

An in-depth discussion of 90/10 Rule compliance considerations for Title IV, HEA participating schools. In this presentation, we will present both auditor and attorney perspectives on compliance with the current 90/10 Rule, as well as discuss changes made to the 90/10 Rule by Congress in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Compliance with CRM – Ensuring regulated student communication across 15 campuses, 3 states & 2 time zones
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Shubh Mishra, LeadSquared
  
• Joy McClure, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture
  
• Paul Matylonek, Tricoci University of Beauty Culture
  

There are several acts and laws regulating for-profit private postsecondary education for the protection of schools and students.  This scrutiny, however, mandates that a standardized and compliant communication structure between schools and their prospective students exist during the admissions, financial aid and enrollment processes.  The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires security when it comes to document and information exchange as an example. Measures should be in place to create a system of check and balances if any claim is made about governmental compliance to check the legitimacy of that claim.  Joy, Chief Admissions Officer, and Paul, Director of Admissions Training and Development at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture will share with you how their organization adjusted to governmental compliance across 15 campuses, 3 states and 2 time zones as their school moved to remote work during the COVID pandemic. 

Cybersecurity and Data Protection Issues
Onsite Presentation

• Brandon Sherman, Maynard Cooper
  
• Roger Swartzwelder, Maynard Cooper
  
• Sarah Glover, Maynard Cooper
  

The challenges of securing an institution’s data systems and protecting critical information regarding students, employees and business operations, including personally identifiable information, increase every year.  Efforts to breach these systems and take control of an institution’s data happen with growing frequency and too often are successful, and risks to institutions that fail to take the necessary steps to protect their systems and data are high.  This session will discuss evolving trends, current requirements, the cybersecurity risk landscape facing institutions of higher learning, and best practices in cybersecurity and data protection, including new requirements imposed by the U.S. Department of Education as a condition for continued access to Federal Student Aid information. This session will also discuss the role of an institution’s leadership in overseeing its information security program.  

Marketing Compliance and Regulatory Challenges in Higher Education
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Marcelo S. Parravicini, Cygnus Education, Inc.
  
• Don Alava, Cygnus Education, Inc.
  

The recent political shift is fueling renewed calls for consumer-centric regulations that govern how institutions market to and recruit traditional and non-traditional students. This session will explore the various challenges institutions face when deploying marketing and enrollment management efforts, and how to ensure these efforts are fully aligned with both regulatory mandates and institutional objectives. Specifically, this session will take a deep dive into compliance best practices and how to achieve complete alignment across all internally and externally managed marketing efforts.

Negotiation Rulemaking: From Start to Finish
Onsite Presentation

• Jonathan Helwink, Duane Morris, LLP
  

One of the most unique aspects of dealing with the U.S. Department of Education, the Department’s negotiated rulemaking procedures are a complicated, confusing, and involved process. With the Biden Administrative planning much regulatory activity – from Title IX to Gainful Employment to Borrower Defense to Repayment – this presentation will walk attendees through that process, from start to finish, including the requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act, the Higher Education Act, the Department’s internal procedures, and the 2020 Final Regulations on Rulemaking and Guidance Procedures. Presented by a former Department attorney who was deeply involved in multiple rulemaking efforts, attendees will gain a full understanding of how the Department creates its rules and will learn how they can impact and influence the process. 

Preparing for Audits of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) 
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Ted Blenderman, McClintock & Associates
  
• Jack Woll, Almich & Associates
  
• Jonathan Tarnow, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath
  

Confused on the uses and reporting for HEERF grants received under the CARES Act, CRRSAA and ARPA? Uncertain as to whether you will be required to submit a specific HEERF compliance audit? This session with a regulatory attorney, two CPAs and a school leader will help navigate and unpack ED’s guidance issued to date. The presentation will cover the uses of the funding under both statutory language and ED guidance the HEERF audit guide (if issued), public results of any Office of Inspector General HEERF audits, and what we have seen over the past year. The presentation will be adapted for any guidance ED issues between now and the convention.  In addition, the presentation will touch on a reminder of the financial responsibility changes which occurred on July 1, 2020.

Proprietary School Audit Update for HEERF
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Mark Priebe, US Department of Education OIG
  
• Danny Jones, US Department of Education OIG
  

Hopefully we will have guidance out by then and I will speak to what is required of an audit of HEERF funds. I can also give an update to other audit guides the OIG is responsible for. 

School Mergers and Acquisitions: Advanced Topics 
Onsite Presentation

• Aaron Lacey, Thompson Coburn
  
• Emily Murphy, Thompson Coburn
  
• David Mohr, Salud Education
  
• Michael Wherry, McClintock & Associates
  

A paneled discussion with a corporate attorney, private school investor / operator, and a CPA moderated by a regulatory attorney all who have significant experience managing and structuring postsecondary transactions.  This presentation will examine recent merger and acquisition activity.  The presenters will discuss recent trends in transaction structures, challenges faced by institutions (partially due to COVID), letter of credits assessed by the U.S. Department of Education, and opening balance sheet requirements.  They also will consider the regulatory and political developments on the horizon, and the potential impact on M&A activity for the coming year. Topics for potential discussion include the following items and the presentation will be adapted as event play out over the second quarter of 2021.

Serving Students Well With A Passing Score: 90-10 Compliance Today & Tomorrow
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Ron Holt, Rouse Frets DeLuca Law 
  
• Eileen Keller, Salmon Simms & Thomas PLLC
  
• Burke Malin, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts
  
• Chris DeLuca, Rouse Frets DeLuca
  

This panel, comprised of an industry CPA, lawyers and executives, will address how institutions manage 90-10 compliance today and what must be done to plan toward compliance with the revised rule coming into effect for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2023 under guidance yet to be issued. Topics addressed by the panel will include: the current 90-10 formula and mechanics as a baseline (including the so-called "presumption"); existing strategies for increasing a school's 10% side of the calculation (such as short programs/courses and scholarships); the likely new 90-10 formula under Section 2013 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and application of that formula, areas of uncertainty to be addressed in the future rulemaking (presumption, institutional charges, professional judgment); and planning ahead for compliance with the revised 90-10 rule - structural changes (e.g., excluding certain funding source students), adding short cash-pay programs and course, developing external funded scholarship programs (e.g., employer/industry funded).

Title IX for Career Institutions:  What is required now, and what is to come?  
Onsite Presentation

• Katherine Demedis, Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC
  
• Dan Brozovic, Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville PC
  

In August 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions of higher education were required to implement extensive changes to the federal Title IX regulations.  Has your institution reached full compliance?  This presentation will cover each step of the revised Title IX process—including the intake, investigation, hearing, and appeals requirements for complaints of sexual harassment—with a focus on new requirements for policies, procedures and personnel.  The presenters will also preview the further changes promised by the Biden-Harris Administration, including how these may impact the Title IX landscape for career education institutions in the coming years.

Truth in Advertising - intel and strategies to assure marketing practices are compliant under increased scrutiny
Onsite Presentation

• Stephen Chema, Gombos Leyton
  
• Steven Gombos, Gombos Leyton
  

Increasingly private colleges and schools are being made to justify their advertising claims in court and in administrative actions brought by state and federal agencies.  Will your marketing practices pass muster under this renewed focus?  Attorneys Stephen Chema and Steven Gombos of the law firm Gombos Leyton, PC will share their perspectives on this hot button issue based on their decades of experience representing institutions in litigation and in proceedings before accreditors, state and federal agencies.  Presidents/CEOs, general counsel, and compliance officers will benefit from a survey of applicable laws and recent enforcement actions, as well as shared strategies for maintaining compliance and responding to inquiries into your school’s marketing practices.

What the Department of Education's Rescission and Replacement the 2016 Clery Handbook Means For Your Institution
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Scott Goldschmidt, Thompson Coburn LLP
  

On October 9, 2020, the Department of Education announced the rescission of the 2016 Clery Handbook and its replacement with new Clery guidance in the form of a 13-page Appendix to the Federal Student Aid Handbook. This proposed session will provide an overview of the Clery Act and the relevant responsibilities for institutions, and explain how institutions should be considering and using new Clery Act Appendix as part of their compliance responsibilities. I will plan to be joined by a Thompson Coburn colleague as well as a CECU member with Clery Act responsibilities.

What You Need to Know in Calculating Your 2021 Composite Score
Onsite Presentation

• Christopher DeLuca, DeLuca Law / Rouse Frets 
  
• Eileen Keller, Salmon Sims Thomas and Associates PLLC
  

This presentation will focus on recent developments affecting institutional composite scores, include new regulations involving leases and long-term debt. It will also include a review of recent COVID-19 stimulus payments and their impact on the composite score calculation.

Wishful Thinking is not a Strategy: Preparing, Managing and Executing a Successful M&A Process
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Peter Leyton, Gombos Leyton, P.C.
  
• Sandy Sarge, Sarge Advisors
  
• Rick Murphree, Veterans Act, LLC
  

​Buying and selling an institution in the current environment is not an easy proposition.  It takes a lot of effort and time under the best of circumstances. Preparing the school for the purchase to get the highest value is extremely important.  Likewise, there are numerous legal and regulatory issues to address beforehand as well as during the negotiation process including recent legal/regulatory developments such as 90/10 and anticipated changes with gainful employment and borrower defense to repayment.  Hear from three very experienced professionals who have prepared institutions to be sold, represented buyers in assessing institutions to purchase and managed purchase and sales from an investment banker's perspective, a hands on financial advisor who recently acted as an institution's chief financial and operating officer and an attorney who is well known in the sector and who has 40 years of experience serving as legal counsel to buyers and sellers.  

Marketing Outreach Sessions

Aligning your marketing given the ever-changing landscape in front of us
Onsite Presentation

• Aaron Edwards, EdwardsSchoen 
• Jeremy Schoen, EdwardsSchoen 
  

​Our worlds have all changed drastically since we've last met and over the last year and half.   In this session we will talk through the various elements that education marketers have to account for in today's new normal.  ES will provide thoughts and recommendations for optimizing your enrollment marketing efforts given the plethora of changes within the marketing channels, overall landscape of higher education and other external factors impacting your marketing efforts and the prospective students we serve.

Beyond Benchmarks - how to Continue to Evolve and Adapt to Today's Student
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Tracy Kreikemeier, EducationDynamics
  
• Carol Aslanian, EducationDynamics
  

This informative session will discuss the latest trends and preferences of recent, current, and prospective students based on our latest reports focused on post-traditional, online, minority and first generation students. Gain important insights to the most pressing questions facing today's higher ed leaders and understand how the pandemic impacted the decision-making process of your prospective students.

Bouncing Forward: The Impact of virtual events on student and staff engagement 
Onsite Presentation

• Dr. Jean Norris, Norton Norris, Inc.
  
• Jennifer Christensen, Herzing University 
  
• Erika Lohmar, Akire Productions
  
• Richard Oleff, Unofficial Cardboard
  

This past year catapulted admissions out of the comfort zone by forcing new ways of doing business.  And guess what? It worked! Whether it was conducting admission visits remotely or training your team from a distance, what was once thought to be taboo actually matched the needs of the student-consumer and staff members and improved performance in many key metrics. So, what’s next? Join us to examine practices that have become the new way of doing business in admissions as well as how we can take it to the next level through virtual events including, Pulling Students in and Through the Buying Cycle, How to Choose the Right Platform, The Art of Storytelling, Best Practices in Virtual Presentations & Improving Training Engagement & Retention with Avatars.

Enrollment funnel feel more like an enrollment sieve? Let’s talk innovative and proven new ways to keep your learners converting 
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Dan Curtis, Motimatic
  

Email, text and calls are not as effective at helping students to convert through the funnel as they once were, and even when they do work, scaling often requires adding staff, which is challenging in our world of shrinking budgets. How can you get your unconverted inquiries to inquire again? How can you increase conversion, even with your most stubborn and stuck lists? Join Dan Curtis, VP of Education at Motimatic, as he shares a variety of stories and examples of driving a different type of engagement. Using behavioral science-backed nudges and digital advertising techniques, Motimatic has found an innovative way to boost conversion in all funnel stages. Adding capacity, without adding humans has driven immediate return on investment with institutions across the country. Come learn about the methodology and approach, with specific emphasis on the results observed at CECU institutions.

Grassroots marketing: Essential, Relevant, and Financially responsible  
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Dainah Craft, Indiana Wellness  College 
  

Share our grassroots efforts that included our employers, cheap -free online tools resulting in saving tantamount to saving our composite score.

How to Use Marketing Best Practices to Optimize Graduation Rates
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Gregg Meiklejohn, Enrollment Resources
  
• Tom King, Enrollment Resources
  

Once a prospective student becomes an actual student, they become part of your School’s product. Completing school is an unwieldy—and often scary—process where logistical and even self-worth issues arise. Grad rates suffer. Why not use classic tried and true marketing techniques to help support and “persuade” your students to complete school? Every student you can save from dropping out is noble and important work. In this practical thought-starter workshop, Tom King and Gregg Meiklejohn will share seven proven, practical tips you can put to work immediately after the session is complete. Bring your colleagues; it will be worth every minute! 

Increasing enrollment. The essential ingredients to consider in your marketing strategy. 
Onsite Presentation

• Joel Espinoza, Advance 360 Education
• Sarah Holmes, Advance 360 Education

Are you not getting the leads you need? Are the leads you are getting not converting? In this session we’ll examine critical factors for success in a dynamic market. From establishing the foundation, message strategy, campaign development and campaign optimization to admissions and marketing working together, we’ll review strategies a career school included leading to 65% growth in year-over-year enrollment. From an expert in educational marketing, you’ll leave this session with actionable tips to increase your quality lead flow to grow your school’s enrollment.

Latest Changes in Telecommunications for Effective Student Engagement
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Aaron Anderson, Verity
  

There are exciting changes recently adopted by major phone carriers, which could significantly improve the student engagement efforts.

Messaging Strategy: Driving Enrollment Growth While Managing Prospective Student Expectations. 
Onsite Presentation

• Marcelo S. Parravicini, Cygnus Education, Inc.
• Don Alava, Cygnus Education, Inc.

The hyper-competitive nature of online student recruitment constantly leaves internal marketing teams and agencies scrambling to come up with new and creative approaches to capture demand. This means that a plethora of messaging strategies are deployed, at significant cost, without always having a coordinated communication strategy from the institution. This misalignment of messaging strategy and enrollment efforts can negatively impact student experience and the goodwill of an institution's brand.

Old Dogs, New Tricks 10 Marketing Ideas to Impact Performance 
Pre-recorded Presentation Available in Convention Portal

• Greg Gragg, Gragg Advertising 
  
• Darryl Mattox, Gragg Advertising ​ 
  

Who says Old Dogs can't learn (and teach) new tricks? Join long-time EDU Industry Marketing Experts Greg Gragg and Darryl Mattox as they present 10 marketing ideas that can impact your new student goals. Walk away from this session with new ideas you can implement immediately and enjoy seeing the success of in your upcoming Fall starts. 

Research: Understanding the latent demand of adult learners, transfer students, and high school graduates that will lead to enrollment success. 
Onsite Presentation

• Brian Willett, ACT | NRCCUA
  
• Jim Crick, ACT | NRCCUA
  

ACT | NRCCUA has revealed through research and data that prospective students have important patterns of latent enrollment demands that we have titled “mindsets”. The mindsets are often not observable.  During the presentation we will explore the different mindsets and how to use them to craft messaging to get favorable attention and ultimately attract the prospective students that will enroll with your institution.  

The Fast and the Furious: 30 Marketing Ideas in 60 Minutes 
Onsite Presentation

• Greg Gragg, Gragg Advertising  
• Darryl Mattox, Gragg Advertising   

This fast-moving session will leave you with 30 marketing ideas you can use to enhance your marketing efforts. Ground, Online and Hybrid schools will all benefit from these marketing tips and tricks. Join the always energetic and entertaining Guys from Gragg Advertising as they use an actual timer to keep the pace of this session fast and furious, while delivering useful and achievable marketing knowledge.  

The Power of Granularity in Google Ads
Onsite Presentation

• Don Seaberry, MDT Marketing

Learn how to use a granular approach to improve the performance of Google Ads campaigns. Focusing on three granular levers in Google Ads, acquire the skills to know how these levers can be used to drive leads efficiently.

Sponsorship​

Sponsorships

CECU's Sponsors play a vital role in successfully executing CECU’s programs, events and communication initiatives. As a Sponsor, your organization has high-profile exposure with top education leaders in the field. The information below serves as our initial thinking about how we can work together to support your work with our institutions. We want to be flexible and innovative in working with you to create a sponsorship package that is best for your organization. View this as a starting point of a discussion, not a final destination.

​Sponsorship Questions: Contact Kelley Blanchard at kelley.blanchard@career.org or 571-970-6471.

Sponsorship Prospectus

Exhibitors

​Exhibit Booth Information

​Why Exhibit? The CECU Annual Convention is the largest event in the postsecondary career education sector. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with leaders in the sector. We have planned several food and beverage functions that will take place in the exhibit hall to maximize foot traffic and opportunities to actively engage with attendees.​

In person Booth registration link

Virtual Only Booth registration link

---

Thank you to our 2021 Career Education Convention Exhibitors!

ACT | NRCCUA
Advance 360 Education
Almich & Associates
AMCA
Anthology
Becker Media
BibliU
Campus Ivy
Capitol Technology University
​CareerTEAM
CBRE
Cobbs Allen
​Collegiate Housing Services
​​CompTIA
CourseKey

​Cygnus Education, Inc.
​DJA Financial Aid Services, Inc.
​Education Dynamics​​
EdwardsSchoen
Elsevier
​Enrollment Resources
​Financial Aid Services
GEMCOR, Inc.
Goodheart-Wilcox Publisher​
Gragg Advertising
HigherEd Jobs​
​LeadSquared
Level Agency
Macmillan Learning
​McClintock & Associates

​McGraw Hill
​MDT Marketing
​NCCER
NCCT
Norton Norris, Inc.
​Orbund Student Information Systems
​SST Accountants & Consultants
Student Connections
Sunrise Credit Services
​TFC Tuition Financing 
TJS Deemer Dana LLP
Tuition Options
Vector Careers
​Verity
​Weworski & Associates​

Exhibit hall schedule

Exhibit Hall Schedule

• Monday, June 14th: Opening Reception 5:00 - 7:00pm
• Tuesday, June 15th: 8:00am - 7:00pm
• Wednesday, June 16th: 8:00am - 7:00pm

Booth Registration Rates & Details

Member Exhibit Booth Rates Includes a Virtual Booth	Early (February 1 - March 1)	Regular (March 2 - June 14)
10x10 Booth	$2,800	$3,000
10x20 Booth	$5,200	$5,500
20x20 Booth*	$10,000	$10,500

Nonmember ​Exhibit Booth Rates ​Includes a Virtual Booth	Early (February 1 - March 1)	Regular (March 2 - June 14)
10x10 Booth	$4,000	$4,500
10x20 Booth*	$7,400	$7,900
20x20 Booth*	$15,000	$15,750

Virtual-Only Booth	March 15th - June 14th
Member	$1,500
Nonmember	$2,000

In Person Booth Details: 

• Through exhibit registration you will be able to book a standard 10x10 booth or a corner/end 10x10 booth. If you are interested in securing a larger booth please contact us directly so we can assist you. You can reach us at events@career.org or 571-800-6521.
• All in-person booths include 2 in-person attendee registrations, per 10x10 booth.
• Includes a virtual booth.

Virtual Booth Details

• All virtual booths include 2 virtual attendee registrations.

information for  exhibitors

Thank you to our Exhibitors for supporting the CECU Convention. If you are an exhibiting company, please click the link below for details about the exhibit hall, information due to CECU, the exhibitor kit and more.

For questions, please contact us at events@career.org. 

2021 Exhibitor Information

Exhibit Hall Floor plan

Booths in grey have already been selected.

---

Cancellations and Refunds: In the event of cancellation of the Convention due to fire, strikes, government regulation or other causes beyond CECU control, CECU shall not be liable for failure to hold the Convention as scheduled, and CECU shall determine the amount of exhibit fees to be refunded. Due to COVID-19, CECU will allow booths to cancel for a full refund, without penalty through May 1, 2021, and no refund will be made for cancellation after May 1, 2021. In the event that the meeting is canceled, all registrations and exhibit fees will be refunded or adjusted to account for a virtual event.​

Hotel & Travel

Hotel Information

​All conference general sessions, workshops, and exhibit space will be convened at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, TX. CECU has partnered with the Gaylord Texan to provide reduced group rate pricing for annual convention attendees. Please support the Annual Convention by staying at a conference hotel.

Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center 
1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, Texas 76051
(817) 778-1000
Reservation Link
Rate: $199 plus taxes, inclusive of resort fee.
To make reservations please call: 877-491-5138

• Room reservations must be made on or before May 22, 2021. Room reservation requests after this date will be subject to hotel availability.

Please Note: CECU has not given any third parties permission to block, reserve, or book hotel reservations on their behalf. If you receive inquiries from a third party to book hotel reservations, this constitutes an interference with CECU’s contractual agreement with the hotel. In addition, CECU has no recourse for reservations made through a third party. These inquiries are misleading solicitations to CECU’s attendees and exhibitors, which are not authorized by CECU. These companies have no affiliation with CECU. Please do not respond to these attempts. All CECU endorsed and negotiated housing options are posted here on our website.

---

Travel Suggestions

Gaylord Texan Resort will provide shared transportation services to and from DFW Airport every 30 minutes (at every hour and half hour) between 5 am - 8 pm daily. The fee is $17 per person. Guests arriving to DFW Airport should call 817-778-2400 to book their transportation to the hotel. Guests departing from the hotel to DFW Airport can also call to make a reservation, or simply walk up to the transportation podium on the front drive.

When planning your trip to the CECU Convention, it's suggested that attendees arrive no later than noon on Monday, June 14, 2021 to allow enough time for you to travel from the airport to the hotel and get settled prior to the start of the Convention. Please plan to arrive earlier if you are taking advantage of the pre-conference activities/meetings.

Contact Us

Contact Us

If you have any questions related to the CECU Convention please contact us at events@career.org or (571) 800-6521.

​Annual Convention
June 14-16, 2021
Gaylord Texan
Grapevine, TX

​@CECUed | #CECU2021

---